Ashtangaom: The Venue El Convento

El Convento is...

A 16th Century former Barefoot Carmelite Monastery surrounded by 12 ruined hermitages, high craggy mountains and dense forested wilderness

A remote nomadic camp under the stars and next to the forest where like minds can commune

An ecological centre demonstrating simple, natural, elegant, sustainable living where we recycle, use renewable resources and have zero impact on our environment and surrounding culture

A family home and occasional Andaluz hamlet full of real people and authentic Spanish culture

The Outer Space

Retreat Accommodation - Natural Structures, Nomadic Tents, Bohemian Vibes…

The Accommodation is located down at the San Juan Hermitage.

Choose from eco style huts, tipis and own camping,

Huts and Tipis accommodate two same sex sharing and are furnished simply, bedding and sheets are provided.

There is also the option to bring your own tent for a further reduced price.

Kitchen and Dining Areas

Our newly restored San Juan former 16th Century Hermitage is now an amazingly homely, spacey, ageless kitchen and the Heart of our centre. We have an open policy and guests are welcome to hang out, help in the kitchen or make themselves tea as and when they wish. The kitchen opens onto a huge terrace overlooking the mountain and pristine forests, this is where we eat and it is also wonderful for relaxation and the odd jam and party.

The Outdoor Yoga Shala

The outdoor yoga space is located on the roof of the new San Juan Hermitage. It has panoramic views of El Convento, the surrounding olive groves, forests and mountains. Its pukka...

Bathroom and Washing Facilities

There are two outdoor showers located in natural hideaways, you can wash in fresh spring water and enjoy the views of the mountains and birds soaring overhead.

There is an additional indoor shower, and flush toilet with hot water should you so wish.

All grey waters from showers and hand basins are recycled and used to water flower- beds.

Compost generated from the toilets is used to fertilise olive trees

There is a designated area with sink, buckets etc for hand washing clothes.

All electricity at El Convento is provided by solar power so be careful with it!

The Water Tank

Up at the Convent building there is a large communal water deposit that is fed by a constant spring, this water is used to irrigate the vegetable gardens.

Guests are welcome to use this deposit to swim in and it serves as a fantastic swimming pool with fabulous views. Due to the fact that the deposit is constantly being fed by fresh mountain water it is always cool and clean without having to use chemicals.

Please note that this deposit is communal and therefore other owners of El Convento use it to swim in, and to irrigate from, and thus it is occasionally emptied.

The Inner Space

The Yoga Shala

The yoga space is located in the convent building itself in the cloisters of the old monastery. It is an elegant, bold structure made from stone, with a huge arch in the middle of the room, it has a lovely stripped wooden floor and a wood burner to keep cosy in winter. It is a wonderful room to practice in as it has a strong inward focus and very pleasant constant temperature in the hot summer months.

El Convento House

The Convento House, and part of the former monastery retains much of its original charm. The downstairs of the house is a quiet sitting room and kitchen, upstairs there are 3 simple monastic rooms for guests and staff.